Molding machine



June 19, 1928. 1,673,889

J. w. SILVER MOLDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet l June 19, 1928. 1,673,889

. J. W. SILVER MOLDING MACHINE iled April 14, 1927 s SheetsSh et 2 F/E.E-

J. W. SILVER MOLDING MACHINE June 19, 1928. 1,673,889

7 gwmmm/ Patented June 19, 1928.

JAMES W. SILVER, OF OGDEN, UTAH.

MOLDING MACHINE.

Application filed April 14, 1927. Serial No. 183,852.

This invention is a novel improvement in molding machines, and theprincipal object of the invention is to provide a molding machine ofnovel arrangement and construction consisting of one or morehorizontally rotatable batteries of cylindrical shape, arranged end toend, each battery carrying a plurality of swingable frames, eachcarrying a plurality of molding flasks whereby as the batteries rotatethe swinging frames will likewise rotate in an orbit from the pouringpositions of the flasks to the dumping positions thereof; with anendless conveyor disposed axially of the several batteries below thedumping positions of the molding flasks for receiving and carrying awaythe castings discharged or dumped from the flasks. My invention isparticularly adapted for molding articles such as car wheel castings,but may of course be'used for molding other articles. The feature ofhaving the conveyor disposed axially of and extending through thebatteries makes it possible to extend the one endless conveyor toreceive the dumped castings of any desired number of batteries, therebydispensing with unnecessary handling of the castings, and conservingfloor space. The above arrangement also makes it possible to keep themolding flasks in position ready for molding at all times, whereasheretofore the practice has been to have the flasks and chills asseparate units, and to use conveyors, hoists, or lifts for assemblingand dismantling same in the molding and shaking out operation.

The feature of pouring the hot metal in my machine is also veryimportant, for as soon as one tier of molds has been poured it is movedout of the way by revolving the battery and is replaced by another tierof molds ready for pouring. It is also desirable in handling hotcastings to have them dumped without lifting same from the mold and toconvey them to a distant point for cooling and cleaning as provided forin my machine.

Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth.

I will &plain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawingswhich illustrate one practical embodiment thereof to enable othersfamiliar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize inthe claims the novel features of construction and novel combinations ofparts for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fi 1 is a side elevation of the machine showing the battery and,conveyor partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. i is an enlarged top plan view of the molding flask in pouringposition.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5, Fig. 4.

Fig. (5 is detail section of the molding flask in dumping position.

As shown, my novel molding machine comprises one or more batteriesarranged end to end in axial alignment each battery comprising acircular open frame consisting of two end trunnion rings 1 of relativelylarge diameter, adapted to revolve upon pairs of spaced rollers 1,journaled in suit able bearings 1" mounted on foundation blo' ks B atthe base of the machine. Between each pair of trunnion rings 1 arelongitudinal frame members 1 preferably coinprising channel barssubstantially disposed tangent to the rings 1, and rigidly connectedthereto by means of bracket plates 1. Frames 1 are preferably furtherstiffened by truss frames 1 of angle irons or the like connected withthe frame members 1 within the periphery of rings 1. Frame members 1 arepreferably disposed 90 degrees apart, as shown more particularly in Fig.3.

At one end of each battery and connected with the trunnion ring 1 is asprocket wheel 3 of suitable diameter driven b means of a chain 3running around sproc ct 3 and a sprocket wheel 3* on the shaft of asuitable prime mover P, which is preferably a re vcrsible air motormounted above the machine upon a platform T, supported upon a I apex ofthe plates being disposed above the tops of beams2 and on the axes ofthe swinging frames and being hinged on pins 1 disposed on rings 1 nearthe periphery of the rings, whereby each swinging frame will bepivotally supported between the trunnion rings 1, and as the batteryrotates the swinging frames will remain by gravity in a horizontalposition at all times. The swinging frames each carr a series of moldingflasks 4, hereinafter dliscribed, which flasks are mounted in trunnionscarried by the opposed beams 2.

Extending axially through the aligned batteries is an endless conveyorpreferably of a drag type comprising two side chains 6 and cross bars 6between the chains running over a table 6 supported on a suitable framework of angle irons, said conveyor extending entirely through thealigned batteries and to the desired point of discharge of the castings.Conveyor chains 6 preferably run around sprockets 6 mounted on shafts 6at each end of the conveyor frame, one of said shafts 6 being driventhrough suitable belting or gearing from a prime mover Q. Disposedtoward the head end of the conveyor is a screen 6 arranged in the bottomlate 6" of the conveyor through which, as t e castin s are drawn overthe screen, all sand wil be discharged into a bin or other conveyingapparatus; and between the head end of the conveyor and the screen 6 isan opening 6 in the bottom plate 6 for the discharge therethrough of thecastings into containers or other conveying apparatus, or same may bedropped on the ground and rolled into annealing pits. The conveyor is soarranged that the castings fall between the cross bars 6" on the returnor under run of the conveyor chains 6", the

cross bars being so spaced that there will be no possibility of afalling casting striking a cross bar.

At the tail end of the conveyor I provide suitable take-up means foradjusting the tension of the conve or chains 6, said means comprisinadjusts le bearings 6" for the sprocket shaft 6 slidably mounted inslots 6 in the sides of the conveyor frame, with screws 6 engaging thebearings 6 for moving the bearings in directions to diminish or increasethe slack in the conveyor chains 6. Any other desired take-up meanshowever may be used in the place of the one above described.

The individual molding flasks generally indicated at 4 inv Fi s. 1, 2,and 3 may be of any type suitable or dumping. The type shown however indetail in Fi s. 4, 5, 6 is adapted for molding car whee s and comprisesa chill 10 with trunnions 10 journaled 1n bearings 12 mounted upon theop osed beams 2, and a cope 14 arranged to go on a pin 9. In operationcope 14 is hinged ,ese

back,and a pattern 15 is placed and held in position in chill 10, whichis then rotated 180 degrees on trunnions l0 and rammed with sand. Plate13 is then placed and locked in position, and chill 10 again rotated 180degrees. All pattern holding apparatus is then removed except thepattern 15 which remains in position, and core 16 is placed, and cope 14is then hinged down into position and rammed with sand. Cope 14 is thenhinged upwardly again, pattern 15 is withdrawn, core 17 then placed, andcope 14 again hinged down into osition and held with clamps 18. Theflask is then ready for pouring. When the casting has been poured,clamps 18 are released, as shown in Fig. 6, and cope 14 is thrown back,chill 10 is r0- tabed 180 degrees and the casting C is dumped upon theendless conveyor.

The chills 10 are operated by levers 10 secured in any desired manner tothe front trunnions 10 of the chills which levers are adapted to beengaged with catches 1O mounted on the beams 2 to lock the flasks 4against rotation in their frames.

lVhen the flasks 4 in each swin ing frame 2 are being prepared they areheld in position X, Fig. 3, and the battery is rotated until each of theother flask carrying frames come into position X. When all flasks ineach battery have been prepared for pouring the flasks in osition X willbe ready for pouring, and t 1e flasks are poured in the same order asthey were prepared for pouring. As the poured molds reach position Z,Fig. 3, at the to of the battery their contents are dum e on to theconveyor 6, and the castings are dragged over screen 6 and t0 thedischarge opening 6 of the conveyor.

My arrangement is simple and eflicicnt and dispenses with a great dealof unnecessary handlin of the castings, chills, molds, etc., and I 0 notconsider my invention limited to the exact details shown in the drawingsfor obviously changes maybe made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a molding machine, frames carrying the molding flasks adapted torotate on their horizontal axes; means for rotating said frames; and aconveyor extending axially through the frames, for the purposespecified.

2. In a molding machine, horizontally disposed circular frames carryingthe molding flasks adapted to rotate on their horizontal axes; means forrotating said frames; and an endless conveyor extending girough theframes, for the purpose speci c 3. In a molding machine, horizontallydis osed circular frames arranged end to on and carrying the moldingflasks and having end trunnion rings supported on rollers and adapted torotate on their horizontal axes; means for rotating said frames; and anendless conveyor extending through the frames, for the purposespecified.

4. In a molding machine, a frame adapted to rotate on its horizontalaxis; means for rotating said frame; flask carrying supports pivotallymounted on the frame and extending parallel with the axis thereof;molding flasks mounted on each support; and a conveyor extending throughthe frame for the purpose specified,

5. In a machine as set forth in claim 4, said frame comprising a pair ofspaced trunnion rings adapted to rotate upon rollers; and spaced framemembers connecting the said rings; the said flask supports alternatingwith the said frame members.

6. In a machine as set forth in claim 4, each flask support comprisingspaced parallel beams adapted to-support a series of molding flasks andconnected together at each end, each end having portions extending abovethe tops of the beams, and a pin connecting each end above the center ofgravity of the support to the frame, whereby as the frame rotates thesupport during its orbit will be maintained bygravity in horizontalposition.

7. Ina machine as set forth in claim 4, each molding flask comprising achill rotatably mounted in trunnions on said support; a cope hingedlymounted on said supportabove the chill; and means for locking the chillagainst rotation during the pouring operation, said means permitting thechill to be rotated for dumping.

8. In a machine as set forth in claim 4, said endless conveyorcomprising a bottom plate supported on a frame; sprockets at each end ofthe conveyor frame; endless chains running over the sprockets; crossbarsextending between the chains; means for retating said sprockets; anda sand screen in the bottom plate ad acent the head end of the conveyor.1 t I 9. In a molding machine, a plurality of frames arranged endto endand adapted to rotate on their horizontal axes; means for individuallyrotating ach frame; flask carrying supports pivotally mounted on eachframe and extending parallel with the axis thereof; a series of moldingflasks mounted on each support; and an endless conveyor extending throuh all the frames, for the purpose specific 10. In a machine as set forthin claim 9, each frame comprising a pair of spaced trunnion ringsadapted to rotate upon rollers; and spaced frame members connecting eachpair of rings; the said flask sup rts alternating with the said framemem rs.

11. In a machine as setforth in claim 9, each flask carrying supportcomprising a pair of spaced parallel beams adapted tosupport a series ofmolding flasks; plates connecting the ends of the beams and havingportions extending above the tops of the beams, and a pin connecting theupper end of each plate at itsi center to the frame, whereby as theframe rotates the support will be maintained by gravity in horizontalposition throughout its orbit.

12. In a machine as set forth in claim 9, each molding flask comprisinga chillrotatably mounted in trunnions on said support';'a cope hingedlymounted on said support above the chill; and means for holding the chillagainst rotation during the pouring operation, said means permitting thechill to be rotated for dumping.

13. In a machine as set forth in claim 9, said endless conveyorcomprising a bottom plate supported on a frame; sprockets mounted ateach end of the conveyor frame; endless chains running over thesprockets; cross bars extending between the chains; means for rotatingsaid sprockets; and a sand screen. in the bottom plate adjacent the headend of th conveyor.

14. In a molding machine, horizontally disposed c lindrical framesarranged end to end and a apted to rotate on their horizontal axes; eachframe comprising a pair of trunnion rings adapted to rotate on rollers;spaced frame members connecting said rings; means fo individuallyrotating said frames; a lurality of flask carrying supports on eacframe-extending parallel with the axis thereof; series of molding flasksmounted on said supports; and an endless conveyor extending axiallythrough the frames for the purpose specified.

15. In a machine as set forth in claim 14;, each flask carrying supportcomprising a pair of spaced parallel beams adapted to support .a seriesof molding flasks; plates connecting the ends of the beams and havingportions extending above. the tops of the beams, and a pin connectingthe upper end of each plate at its center to the frame, whereby as thefrariie rot-ates the support will be maintained by gravity in horizontalposition throughout its orbit.

16. In a machine as set forth in claim 1 each molding flask comprising achill fotatably mounted in trupgiipns on said support; a cope hingedlymounted on said sun? ort above the chill; and means for holdng the chillagainst rotation during the operation, said means permitting the chi lto be rotatedifor dumping.

v 17. In a machine as set forth in claim 1'4, said endlessconveyor'lccomprising a bottom plate supported on a frame extendingthrough the battery; sprockets mounted at each end of the conveyorframe; endless chains running over the sprockets; cross barsextendingbetween the chains; means for adjusting the tension of saidchains; means for rotating said sprockets and a sand screen in thebottom plate adjacent the head end of the conveyor.

18. In a molding machine. a plurality of horizontally disposedcylindrical frames arranged end to end and adapted to rotate on theirhorizontal axes; means for individually rotating said frames; aplurality of flask carrying supports extending parallel with the axes ofsaid frames; each support comprising a pair of spaced parallel beams;plates connecting the ends of the beams and having portions extendingabove the tops of the beams; pins connecting the upper ends of theplates at the centers thereof to the frames, whereby as the framesrotate the supports will be maintained by gravity in a horizontalposition; series of molding flasks mounted on said supports; and anendless conveyor extending axially through the frames for the purposespecified.

19. In a machine as set forth in claim 18 each frame comprising a pairof spaced trunnion rings adapted to rotate upon rollers; and spacedframe members connecting each pair of rings; the said flask supportsalternating with the said frame members.

20. In a machine as set forth in claim 18, each molding flask comprisinga chill rotatably mounted in trunnions on said support; a cope hingedlymounted on said support above the chill; and means for holding the chillagainst rotation during the pouring operation, said means permitting thechill to be rotated for dumping.

21. In a machine as set forth in claim 18, said endless conveyorcomprising a bottom plate supported on a frame extending through thebattery; sprockets mounted at; each end of the conveyor frame; endlesschains running over the sprockets; cross bars extendim between thechains; means for adjusting the tension of said chains; means forrotating said sprockets; and a sand screen in the bottom plate adjacentthe head end of'the conveyor.

22. In a molding machine, a plurality of horizontally disposedcylindrical frames arranged end to end and adapted to rotate on theirhorizontal axes; each frame comprising a pair of trunnion rings adaptedto retate on rollers; spaced frame mei'nbers connecting said rings;means for individually rotating said frames; a plurality of flaskcarrying supports extending parallel with the axes of said frames; eachsupporting member comprising a pair of spaced parallel beams; platesconnecting the ends of the beams, and having portions extending abovethe tops of the beams; pins connecting the upper ends of the plates atthe centers thereof to the trunnion rings adjacent their outer endswhereby the supports will he gravitally maintained in horizontalposition as the frames rotate; series of molding flasks mounted on saidsupports; and an endless conveyor extending axially through the framesfor the purpose specified.

:23. In a machine as set forth in claim 22, each molding llaskcomprising a chill rotatably mounted in trunnions on said support; acope hingedly mounted on said support above the chill; and means forholding the chill against rotation during the pouring operation. saidmeans permitting the chill to be rotated for dumping.

24. In a machine as set forth in claim 2:2, said endless conveyorcomprising a bottom plate supported on a frame extending through thebattery: Sprockets mounted at each end of the conveyor frame: endlesschains running over the sprockets; cross bars extending between thechains; means for adjusting the tension of said chains; means forrotating the sprockets: and a sand screen in the bottom plate adjacentthe head end of the conveyor; said bottom plate having an openingtherein atthe head end for the discharge of articles therethrough.

25. In a molding machine, a horizontally disposed rotatable framecomprising a pair of trunnion rings adapted to rotate upon rollers;spaced frame members connectin" the said rings; pairs of spaced paralhilbeams extending parallel with and alternating with the frame members;plates connecting the ends of the parallel beams and having portionsextending above the tops of the beams; pins connecting the upper ends ofeach plate to the trunnion rings, whereby as the frame rotates thesupports will be maintained b gravity in horizontal position; and seriesof molding flasks mounted in trunnions on said arallel beams.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own, I atlix my signature.

JAMES lV. SILVER.

